Translation of Japanese word "狭い" to English
狭い
せまい
[semai]
IPA: /semai/
Meaning
AdjectiveHaving a small width; not wide; having opposite edges or sides that are close, especially by comparison to length or depth.
How to use
狭い (semai) — 'narrow / cramped / small (area)'. 狭い道 — narrow street. 日本は狭い — Japan is small. Antonym: 広い. Japanese adjectives inflect directly for tense and negation, functioning similarly to verbs in some ways.
🇬🇧 English
narrow / cramped
Pronunciation Guide
Japanese Kanji: 狭い
Phonetic Reading (Hiragana): せまい
Romaji Transcription: semai
Example Sentences
彼の狭い部屋を見ました。
かれのせまいへやをみました。
I saw his narrow room.
この狭い通路を歩きました。
このせまいとおりをあるきました。
I walked a narrow path.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- とても狭い (totemo semai)— very narrow / cramped
Frequency rank: #897 in Japanese
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Japanese word "狭い" mean?▼
The Japanese word "狭い" means "narrow / cramped" in English.
How do you pronounce the Japanese word "狭い"?▼
The word "狭い" is read as "せまい" (semai). You can hear the correct audio pronunciation by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see a usage guide or example with "狭い"?▼
Yes, here is a practical context/example: "彼の狭い部屋を見ました。".
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